Swimming in the corn belt has been on the rise in the last half-decade.. Since the University of Iowa got a brilliant new Aquatics Center, the state has been hosting more meets, putting out better college teams, and producing better age group swimmers. Nebraska has developed a hugely enthusiastic core after hosting two-straight Olympic Trials, and it’s showing in their new ability to turn out great swimmers as well.
And now, they have a National Age Group Record holder. On Sunday, at the Central Zone 14 & Under meet in Columbus, Indiana, Olivia Calegan of Lincoln Select Swimming, broke the 11-12 girls 50 breaststroke record with a 33.05. That takes down the 33.33 set by Olivia Anderson of the Aquajets in Minnesota, set in 2009; Anderson is now a 15-16 and still setting NAG Records with the famous Aquajets relays.
Earlier in the meet, Calegan won the 100 breaststroke in a very-fast 1:15.60, which puts her in the top 40 on the all-time list for that event, but there was nothing to indicate the explosion that was waiting in the 50. Other wins went down in the 200 breaststroke with a 2:44.27, and a 28.17 on the Midwestern Swimming 200 free relay (alongside, among others, Caroline Theil, daughter of contributors Ryan and Shelly Theil). The pair were also 2:26.9’s in the 200 IM, with Theil touching first on a great freestyle burst.
Calegan now is the only National Age Group Record holder from the Midwestern LSC for that matter that includes Nebraska and a small portion of Iowa. The Calegans recently moved from the Eastern end of Iowa to Lincoln, Nebraska.
She comes from a great swimming family; her older brothers Tyler and Haden Calegan swan for Iowa state powers Muscatine High School until the move, and Haden is the top-ranked swimmer from the state of Iowa in the class of 2013. Haden will remain in Iowa for his senior season.
Congratulations Olivia!! Best of luck to you and your family in reaching your goals.
Way to go Olivia!!!!! I remember looking down at this sweet little girl not that long ago when you were only 2 or 3 years old! I can’t believe this much time has went by. What a wonderful accomplishment. I’m sure your mom and dad are so proud of everything you have done and no matter where life takes you, I’m confident they will continue to be proud. Always remember God’s right there with you every step of the way and HE loves you more than all the rest of us combined. If God has a refigerator I bet your picture is right on the front!!!! Your a very blessed young lady to have such a supportive and loving mom… Read more »
Oliva, WOW! I only got to see you swim a few times, but I am really excited for what is yet to come for you in this sport. I would LOVE to see you head to the next level in swimming and know that I KNEW YOU THEN. Your DAD is a very proud parent. We just started our swim season at Rocky and I plan to share your news with my team. I am watching the 2012 Olymic Games right now and I can see you there in 2016 at the age of 16, look at what the 15 year old has done.
“others” also include Midwestern Swimming’s only relay champion (tie no less) of the meet with teammates Cassie Roberts (teammate of Caroline Theil) and Shelby Mullendore.
Congrats to Olivia, the entire Midwestern Swimming team and all the swimmers who braved the drastic temperature and humidity fluxuations and occasional swim into a stiff wind.
I am Olivia’s dad and have coached her for years. Due to recent job changes, Norma and Louie Balogh (Lincoln Select Swimming) have been working with Olivia and have done a fantastic job in coaching/preparing her. I have always encouraged stretch goals for my swimmers (Olivia included). I knew that 33.33 was going to be about as big a stretch as we could put out there. Olivia started the season just trying to hit 35.00. Once we hit that… then we focused on 34.00. It took all summer and a half taper for D1’s (State) to get under (33.96). She then had a chance to open things up in a medley relay and went 33.29. Knowing that she could go… Read more »
Thank you so much Dad. I honestly couldn’t have done it without you. When you texted me and said “33.33 that’s what your going to go.” I thought you were crazy. If it weren’t for you I wouldn’t have pushed myself nearly as hard did. Every breath I took I heard your yell, and it helped me push through the rest of the race. Before the race I didn’t think I was gonna be able to get it. But once the race started all I could think about was finishing, looking up at the board, seeing that I broke the National Age Group Record, and looking up at your smiling face. When I did see that I broke it, I… Read more »
Lincoln Select is in Nebraska… nowhere close to the Illinois border 😉
Fact.